My sister and I decided we needed some calm after our father’s death. A space somewhere to celebrate the life our father had shared with us. He always loved the outdoors, the Sierras, ghost towns, and good food. We jumped in the Subaru and went for a “ride” into the mountains.

We had nothing in mind, except to seek some solitude in our crazy lives by virtue of visiting some of the places our father loved. We decided going to the Comstock, would be a good place to begin, then the car having a mind of its own headed for Bodie, CA, a ghost town owned and run by the state of CA. We had visited Bodie before, but I believe it was when I was 9 or 10 which means my sister was a wee lass of 4 or 5!

Back in the day, I lived in Silver City, NV and tended bar in a funky old saloon called the Tahoe Beer House. Here is what it looks like today, no longer a bar, now just a house on the edge of the highway to Virginia City. It’s run down a bit, but still being used as a rental.

In the 70s, Silver City was still over-run with remnants of the Haight-Ashbury hippie scene. The town was alive with music, the Siver City Guard, dances and craziness. I remember it fondly.

Tailings from one of the Comstock mines.

The highway to Virginia City through Silver City and Gold Hill.

My sister, Sharon or Yogi as we called her as kids, clowning above the Dayton Valley.

The distant Sierras

Old mine in Silver City

Bridgeport and the Sierra Nevada range

My barbed wire fetish…

We headed to Bodie and I had always heard the rode in only involved 4 miles of gravel, but let me tell you, it was the WORST 4 miles I have ever driven. I couldn’t help but be glad I was in the Subaru not the bike!! The road it horrid washboard, areas of complete washout and big pointed rocks jutting out of the dirt and dusty beyond belief. It took us nearly 20 minutes to go the four miles. I do NOT recommend this on any street bike, unless they improve the present condition. I must add the only bike up there was a dual sport with an ADV sticker on it!
Bodie, CA

Bodie is a delight, with its old buildings filled with perfume of the past, the cowboy dressed rangers and storytellers, the beautiful mountain setting.

My sister guiding the tour…

Our favorite tourists

The Methodist Church…at one time Bodie had 65 bars, but only two churches!

The Standard mill, which in its heyday processed $14 million worth of gold and silver in 25 years.

The front of James Stuart Cain’s house, the town’s principle property owner.

The Sawmill

My sister goofing in front of the sawmill.

The Wheaton and Hollis Hotel…i can’t believe this gorgeous pool table was left behind.

The old Schoolhouse

Frank Quinville House who was a blacksmith and laborer. He was thought of having done quite well for himself with such a nice house.

I absolutely lucked out on this shot…no one was in it, except ghosts.

I don’t know what these building were, but I liked them and the mine tailings in the background of the one and the old truck in the other.

This hearse seemed all to appropriate for the occasion and it was truly lovely!

Glad to be a woman of my time when I see the tools women used maintaining a household.

The only motorcycle in the parking lot was parked next to us. I’m sure the Watch for motorcycles sticker on the car was the giveaway!

Though the park rangers advised against going out the 26 mile dirt road, we threw caution to the wind and windy it was! Both of us decided that all-wheel drive could handle nearly anything and after that horrid road in, this exit had to be better!
It was quite nice.

The amazing multicolored flora over this fantastic rocks. They really looked like something from Lord of the Rings.

The road connected to a highway running on the north side of Mono Lake.

Two panos of the lake.

This being my favorite.

When we arrived in Lee Vining, it was already after 5pm. We went to Whoa Nellie Deli for dinner and had the absolutely best fish tacos ever and since I wasn’t riding, I added a good dark beer. I made some phone calls trying to find lodging for the night anywhere nearby, so that we could go over Tioga Pass in the morning, but there was nothing, except one room in Mammoth for $320 a night! Uhhh…no. We drove back north and stayed at the West Walker Motel with Chris and Pam, friends from the Pashnit Girly Ride of bygone years. It was a wonderful night.

My sister had never been over Ebbetts Pass so we decided to take that route to Sacto. My sister couldn’t believe I would ride a motorcycle on such a crazy tight and twisty road. Let me tell you, it wasn’t nearly the fun I have on my bike!!

In seeing this sunset…I couldn’t help but think he was watching over us and chuckling at our bumpy ride into Bodie.

Well this closes our little sojourn. We talked dad stories, spend lots of time thinking about him and our childhood. In better times, he was awesome to be around and lots of fun. Those are the times that we’ll keep close to us. We miss you, Dad.